The Cedar Key Historical Society will host the first of its monthly Coffee Program Series at 10 a.m. at the Cedar Key Community Center, Sixth and F Streets, Cedar Key.

The January speaker will be Mrs. Catharine Hobday, an assistant light keeper who served at the Cedar Keys Light Station on Seahorse Key from 1873 unti 1879, portrayed by local historian, Toni C. Collins.

The Historical Society will have available for sale, Collins’ book, "Cedar Keys Light Station," and the author will sign copies purchased at the coffee or purchased prior to the coffee.

For more information or directions, please call (352) 543-5549.

Saturday

Florida Sandhill and Whooping Cranes

Come learn about Florida Sandhill and Whooping Cranes from Marilyn Spalding. Since 1990 she has been involved in the effort to re-establish Whooping Cranes in Florida. The presentation at 10:30 at the Cedar Key Public Library is sponsored by the Friends of the Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges.

Sandhill Cranes, both resident and migratory in Florida, have provided useful information and techniques in the effort to re-establish Whooping Cranes, the world’s most endangered bird. This effort provided a unique opportunity to study the health of an entire population of Whooping Cranes in Florida.

The presentation will cover some of the successes and failures of the project with special attention to habitat alterations and their consequences. Marilyn Spalding is a wildlife disease specialist with a particular interest in the diseases of wild birds, particularly cranes. She has worked with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the University of Florida.

Tuesday

Photo Walk

Photographer Michelle Pearson will lead a Friends of the Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys NWRs Photo Walk on the 4th Tuesday of the month, Jan. 24, at 10 a.m.

During the walks/trips, Michelle will suggest photo ops, as well as provide camera/photo skills assistance. Walkers are to meet at the Dennis Creek Trail near Shell Mound.

Free and open to the Public.

AARP driving classes offered

Florida is a mandated state and any insurance company doing business in Florida must give a discount to those completing an AARP Safe Driving Course. Open to individuals age 50 and older. Contact your agent for discount amounts. Update yourself to earn a discount and get newly enacted motor vehicle and traffic laws. Course fee is $12 for AARP members and $14 all others. Call instructor Linda Cochran at 352-493-1742 to register for the following Levy County classes. All begin at 9 a.m.:

The Levy County Tourist Development Council will be holding its bi-monthly meeting on Tuesday, Jan 26, at 6 p.m. at the Levy County Visitors Bureau, 620 N. Hathaway Ave., Bronson.

The meeting is open to the public.

Jan. 27-29

Citrus County Fair truck, tractor pulls

The 13th Annual Truck and Tractor Pull, sponsored by the Citrus County Fair Association will be at the fairgrounds in Inverness, located at 3600 S. Florida Ave. (U.S. Hwy. 41 South).

There will be pulling each day for trucks and tractors of all sizes, including garden tractors. There will be a junior tractor race each day. There will be plenty of food for sale and camping is also available.

The event will be held rain or shine with three sleds pulling in the covered arena.

Advance tickets are available at the Citrus County Fair Office, the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce offices in Crystal River and Inverness. Tickets at the gate are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 4-11.

All proceeds are awarded as scholarships for Citrus County youth.

For more information call the Fair Office 352-726-2993 or visit www.citruscountyfair.com.

Jan. 28

Gala benefits schools, scholarships

The Levy County Schools Foundation gala featuring a dinner, silent auction, door prizes and entertainment by county students will begin at 6 p.m. at Chiefland Elementary School. Doors open at 5:30.

Tickets for the annual event are $50 per person. Sponsorships are also available — Gold Patrons are contributors who give $1,000 each and receive eght tickets to the Gala; Silver Patrons are donors who give $500-$999 to the Foundation and receive four tickets; and Bronze Patrons who donate $250-$499 to the foundation and receive two tickets.

For more information, to become a Patron make reservations or donate door prizes or auction items, call 352-486-3408 or email lcsf@levy.k12.fl.us .